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Post by babygeige on Jan 23, 2007 23:06:59 GMT -5
I just got a little 2 gal tank set up for a betta. Do I need a heater or not? On the other forum, everyone says heater, but I always see pictures of bettas in bowls and other things without heaters. I'm so confused...
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Post by Suzie Q on Jan 24, 2007 10:04:39 GMT -5
It really is according to how cold/hot your house is. I brought one of my male bettas to work and keep the temp at 74/76 degrees (winter), and I keep him away from the windows. The "stick on" thermometer reads 74/76 degrees. As long as the tank temp stays high, I don't think you need one. I do have one on my 6g tank, and the temp stays almost 80 deg...I unplug it if the day is warm, or it jumps to over 80*, but my 1gs stay around 74/76 (winter)..(summer it is close to 78*).
You can put a heater on it. Regardless if you have one or not, keep an eye on the temp. If you feel better about having one, then get one...it won't hurt.
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Post by carlrs on Jan 24, 2007 11:22:15 GMT -5
It really is according to how cold/hot your house is. I brought one of my male bettas to work and keep the temp at 74/76 degrees (winter), and I keep him away from the windows. The "stick on" thermometer reads 74/76 degrees. As long as the tank temp stays high, I don't think you need one. I do have one on my 6g tank, and the temp stays almost 80 deg...I unplug it if the day is warm, or it jumps to over 80*, but my 1gs stay around 74/76 (winter)..(summer it is close to 78*). You can put a heater on it. Regardless if you have one or not, keep an eye on the temp. If you feel better about having one, then get one...it won't hurt. Ditto! If your tank is too cold a desk lamp with an infrared reptile bulb in it works well, as this allows a day/night cycle for the fish as the fish are not disturbed by the infrared light. Carl |
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Post by babygeige on Jan 24, 2007 18:41:25 GMT -5
Well, it gets kind of chilly in my house, so I better get a little heater for it. It's rarely above 70 in my bedroom, so I guess that was kind of a dumb question, wasn't it?  Heater it is! Thanks! |
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Post by Suzie Q on Jan 24, 2007 22:23:48 GMT -5
No questions are dumb...people are only dumb for not asking! I label my "dumb" questions as "Blonde" questions. Better to ask then not to and loose your fish. Just make sure you keep an eye on the temp even with the heater.
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Post by ladycroft on Jan 25, 2007 2:16:10 GMT -5
I was wondering the same thing with my fish. I have a 5 gallon tank. Anyways The tank has a lightbulb in the top and this keeps the water temperature up. Suprisingly. I was told it would only heat the top of the water, but my thermometer is in the middle closer tot he bottom of the tank.
Recently my fish have become victim to velvet disease so I put in a green lightbulb, because the parasite likes the light and grows in it like plants do, but that happens to be my source of heat so I figured I'd just get a dark colored bulb. The green one heats up my tank MORE than the white bulb. I thought this was weird.
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Post by carlrs on Jan 25, 2007 11:44:36 GMT -5
the reason the green light bulb heats the water more is that these bulbs are just standard bulbs with a green laminate applied. This green laminate filters out beneficial lower end on the Nanometer scale light such as UVA, allowing more infrared light which will heat the aquarium. To be honest this will not help fight the velvet with the exception of the increased heat. Velvet is a protozoan parasite similar to malaria. An increase of salt (one tablespoon per 5 gallons), a Medicated Wonder Shell, and/or Quick Cure will do far more for Velvet. I have an article about lighting here: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.htmlAnd a new article about aquarium heaters here: aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2007/01/aquarium-heaters-preset-vs-non-preset.htmlCarl |
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Post by ladycroft on Jan 25, 2007 16:10:33 GMT -5
i know this is getting off topic of the heater but in reply to Carl saying that the light wouldn't help. I read that the parasite is like an algae because it thrives in light, so you're supposed to dim the lights in the tank? Is that wrong?
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Post by carlrs on Jan 25, 2007 18:16:16 GMT -5
These parasites (a type of oodinium) with a silimar cycle to ich will attcak day or night. In fact I have seen oodinium infestations explode over night when the lights are. Parasites do not produce phosynthesis like algae and light is not essential for their life cycle. I am curious where your heard this? Here is an article about ich which has a similar life cycle and cure: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Ich.htmlI have a lot of well researched articles based on facts as well as experience here: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Information.htmlCarl |
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Post by ladycroft on Jan 25, 2007 18:21:18 GMT -5
Oh, I read it on a few sites, actually more than one I always double check because I know sometimes what you read on the internet isn't true. But I found a few sites when I was researching velvet disease and they said the same thing? I'll try to find some links for you if I can remember which sites they were.
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